Friday, August 14, 2009

Riding Skill Series: Learn A New Track

Riding Skill Series: Learn A New Track

Be prepared before you go
From the August, 2010 issue of Sport Rider
By Andrew Trevitt

Race Track Satellite View
 Click to View Gallery
A satellite view is preferable... 
   
  read full caption
Race Track Satellite View
A satellite view is preferable to a map as it is a more accurate depiction of the track and shows more detail. This is Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA.
Not too many years ago, there were few options to help you learn a new track. You could walk around it, but that was pretty much the only look you would have before riding. In the days before satellite imagery, track maps, YouTube videos and televised races, you'd be lucky to even know how many turns a particular track had before you went out for the first practice. We say "practice" because back then there were no track days either, meaning it was quite common to start a race with only a handful of laps under your belt and barely knowing which way the track went.
Race Track Onboard Video
 Click to View Gallery
It's possible to find onboard... 
   
  read full caption
Race Track Onboard Video
It's possible to find onboard video from almost any track in the world online, which can help immeasurably with learning a racetrack. Of course, it helps if the video features an experienced rider taking the correct lines.
Aside from knowing in advance how the track is laid out, your objective is also to find-in advance-reference points that you can use once you get on the track. Start with the satellite view: Where are the curbs positioned? Are there bridges over the track? Are any corners or chicanes tighter or more open than they appear on the track map? All this information will be useful. For example, the typical track map for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA does not even show the chicane on the front straight, but some satellite views will show the curbs in place for the motorcycle layout. Conversely, a track map shows the back straight with what looks to be a tight chicane, whereas in reality it is much more open.

Lorem ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.


EmoticonEmoticon